But behind the well-rehearsed display of sweetness and light lays the threat of serious punishment.

Cheerleaders perform at the ice hockey (Image: AFP)

Fans from North Korea cheer on the combined team (Image: REUTERS)

The choreographed singing and moves have been a hit - but the group is being closely monitored (Image: REUTERS)

A member of the so-called 'Army of Beauties' leads a routine (Image: Getty Images AsiaPac)

The Daily Mail says members of the group are on a tight leash and must report any conversations with South Koreans during briefings with minders.

It has been widely reported that 21 members of a North Korean cheer squad, sent to Incheon for the Asian Athletics Championships, were sent to a prison camp in 2006 for breaching a vow not to speak about what they’d seen on the other side of the border.

The group was in full voice on day one of the Games when the combined ice hockey team featuring players from North and South Korea was thrashed 8-0 by Switzerland.

The cheer squad was carefully selected from families loyal to the regime (Image: AFP)

Moon Jae-in, IOC President Thomas Bach and North Korea's Kim Yong Nam and Kim Yo Jong applaud the Korean team on day one of the games (Image: The Asahi Shimbun)

The cheerleaders perform a choreographed dance (Image: AFP)

There was also a strong contingent at the Gangneung Ice Arena for speed skating.